3 Men Arrested for Selling A Sack Of Sand For US$70K Claiming It Was Gold

By Staff Reporter
|
17390
|
December 16, 2020

Trio Arrested for Selling A Sack Of Sand For US$70K Claiming It Was Gold

US$70K Fake Gold Lands Trio In Jail

Three men from Chinhoyi allegedly sold a mining company in Matopo fake gold worth US$70 000 yesterday and they appeared before a Bulawayo court.

Nyasha Marumahoko, Kudakwashe Pfavai, both 28, and Daniel Pfavai, 29, are the suspects and they appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Shepherd Mjanja who granted them $3 000 bail each as they were ordered them to appear in court for trial on the 21st of December.

Hatirare 263 learned that the trio allegedly sold a sack full of sand to Phinias Munda, a manager at Ndlovu Syndicate Mines in Matopo.

Munda drove from Bulawayo to Shangani and met with the trio who then showed him a sack full of sand claiming it was gold in powder form.

“They then went to Shangani where they processed the sand using mercury and the sand was processed to seven kilogrammes of amalgam,” the State alleges.

Marumahoko and his co-accused during the sampling test process, tricked Munda making him believe that the samples were real as they switched the fake gold samples with genuine gold.

Munda after falling for the trick then paid US$70 000 to the trio and left for his office.

When Munda arrived at his Ndlovu Syndicate Mines offices he found out that the trio had sold him a sack full of sand and made a police report immediately which led to the arrest of Mamurahoko and his accomplices.
US$70K Fake Gold Lands Trio In Jail

Three men from Chinhoyi allegedly sold a mining company in Matopo fake gold worth US$70 000 yesterday and they appeared before a Bulawayo court.

Hatirare 263 learned that the trio allegedly sold a sack full of sand to Phinias Munda, a manager at Ndlovu Syndicate Mines in Matopo.

Munda drove from Bulawayo to Shangani and met with the trio who then showed him a sack full of sand claiming it was gold in powder form.

“They then went to Shangani where they processed the sand using mercury and the sand was processed to seven kilogrammes of amalgam,” the State alleges.

Marumahoko and his co-accused during the sampling test process, tricked Munda making him believe that the samples were real as they switched the fake gold samples with genuine gold.

Munda after falling for the trick then paid US$70 000 to the trio and left for his office.

Category:
News
Crimes Courts

Info News

DUI Defense Lawyer: Common Legal Defenses in Drunk Driving Cases

DUI defense lawyer, DUI defenses, drunk driving defense, DUI attorney, beat DUI charge, DUI case defense, DUI evidence

rnrn

DUI Defense Lawyer: Common Legal Defenses in Drunk Driving Cases

rnrn

A DUI arrest is not the same as a conviction. Prosecutors must prove the case, and the defense has the right to challenge the evidence.

rnrn

A DUI defense lawyer looks for legal, factual, and technical problems in the government’s case.

rnrn

Every DUI case is different. Some defenses focus on the traffic stop. Others focus on field sobriety tests, chemical testing, officer procedure, or whether the person was actually impaired.

rnrn

Defense 1: Illegal Traffic Stop

rnrn

Police usually need a legal reason to stop a driver.

rnrn

Possible stop reasons include:

rnrn

Speeding
rnSwerving
rnRunning a red light
rnExpired tag
rnEquipment violation
rnAccident investigation
rnReasonable suspicion of impaired driving

rnrn

If the stop was not legally justified, evidence gathered after the stop may be challenged.

rnrn

Defense 2: No Probable Cause for Arrest

rnrn

Even if the stop was legal, the officer must have enough evidence to make a DUI arrest.

rnrn

A lawyer may review:

rnrn

Driving behavior
rnOfficer observations
rnSpeech
rnBalance
rnOdor of alcohol
rnField sobriety tests
rnStatements
rnVideo evidence
rnMedical conditions

rnrn

If probable cause was weak, the arrest may be challenged.

rnrn

Defense 3: Field Sobriety Test Problems

rnrn

Field sobriety tests are not always reliable.

rnrn

A person may perform poorly because of:

rnrn

Medical conditions
rnAnxiety
rnFatigue
rnAge
rnInjury
rnPoor footwear
rnUneven ground
rnWeather
rnBad instructions
rnLanguage barriers

rnrn

A DUI lawyer may compare the officer’s report to body camera or dash camera video.

rnrn

Defense 4: Breath Test Issues

rnrn

Breath testing can be challenged if the machine or procedure was flawed.

rnrn

Potential issues include:

rnrn

Improper calibration
rnLack of maintenance
rnOfficer certification problems
rnMouth alcohol
rnVomiting or burping before test
rnMedical conditions
rnImproper observation period
rnRadio frequency interference claims
rnTesting outside required time windows

rnrn

A breath result is only as strong as the procedure behind it.

rnrn

Defense 5: Blood Test Problems

rnrn

Blood tests may be challenged based on:

rnrn

Improper blood draw
rnContamination
rnChain of custody
rnStorage problems
rnLab errors
rnFermentation
rnTesting delays
rnDocumentation gaps
rnQualified person requirements

rnrn

A lawyer may request lab records and review whether the sample was handled properly.

rnrn

Defense 6: Rising Blood Alcohol

rnrn

A rising blood alcohol defense argues that the person’s BAC was lower while driving and rose by the time of testing.

rnrn

This may be relevant when there is a delay between the stop and the chemical test.

rnrn

The defense depends on drinking timeline, food intake, body weight, test timing, and expert analysis.

rnrn

Defense 7: Medical Conditions

rnrn

Some medical conditions can affect DUI evidence.

rnrn

Examples may include:

rnrn

Diabetes
rnAcid reflux
rnNeurological disorders
rnBalance disorders
rnEye conditions
rnInjuries
rnFatigue
rnAnxiety
rnMedication side effects

rnrn

A medical issue does not automatically defeat a DUI charge, but it may explain certain observations.

rnrn

Defense 8: Not Actually Driving

rnrn

Some cases involve people found in parked vehicles.

rnrn

Legal issues may include:

rnrn

Was the person driving?
rnWas the engine on?
rnWhere were the keys?
rnWas the vehicle operable?
rnWas the person sleeping?
rnDid anyone witness driving?

rnrn

State laws vary on what counts as driving or actual physical control.

rnrn

Defense 9: Police Report vs. Video Evidence

rnrn

Police reports sometimes make a case look stronger than video shows.

rnrn

A DUI lawyer may review:

rnrn

Body camera footage
rnDash camera footage
rnBooking video
rnRoadside testing video
rnAudio recordings
rnJail observation video

rnrn

Video can confirm or contradict officer claims.

rnrn

Defense 10: Constitutional Violations

rnrn

A DUI case may involve constitutional issues such as:

rnrn

Unlawful stop
rnUnlawful search
rnImproper questioning
rnViolation of rights
rnImproper detention
rnLack of warrant where required

rnrn

A lawyer may file motions to suppress evidence if legal rights were violated.

rnrn

Final Thoughts

rnrn

A DUI defense lawyer does not rely on one-size-fits-all arguments. The defense depends on the evidence.

rnrn

Traffic stop, arrest procedure, field sobriety testing, chemical testing, video evidence, and constitutional issues all matter.

rnrn

If you are charged with DUI, get the evidence reviewed before deciding what to do next.

Cybersecurity Best Practices

Safeguarding Digital Information
rn Cybersecurity is increasingly important as individuals and businesses rely on digital systems for everyday operations. Threats such as phishing attacks, malware, and data breaches can lead to financial loss and compromised information. Understanding these risks is essential for maintaining digital safety.

rnrn

Implementing strong cybersecurity measures, including password management, multi-factor authentication, and regular software updates, can significantly reduce exposure to threats. Staying informed about new risks helps individuals and organizations protect their data in an evolving digital landscape.

rnrn